Lonavala: Jewellery and cash worth Rs 14.05 lakh stolen from woman's home while she was at Kakad Aarti

A theft has been reported from Lonavala, the well-known tourist destination in Pune district, in the middle of the Diwali festival, causing alarm across the area. A thief used the darkness and quiet of early morning to enter a woman's house and fled with jewellery worth lakhs of rupees. The entire incident was recorded on CCTV cameras installed around the house.

The case is from the Gavlivada area of Lonavala. According to the information available, a woman living in the area had left home in the morning, as she does every day, to attend Kakad Aarti. The thief had been keeping watch beforehand. As soon as the woman stepped out, he entered the house. Finding it empty, he ransacked the cupboard.

The thief took a gold mangalsutra, a ranihar, a gold chain, rings and various ear ornaments. He also took Rs 25,500 in cash. The total value of the stolen goods has been put at Rs 14.05 lakh.

When the woman returned home after the prayers, her belongings were lying scattered. She then discovered the theft and was stunned.

On receiving news of the incident, Lonavala City police reached the spot immediately and investigated. When police examined CCTV footage from the area, a suspect was clearly visible. The footage shows a man in a blue shirt walking out of the house calmly and without a care. He was also seen on another CCTV camera installed by the roadside.

A case has been registered against an unknown thief at Lonavala City police station. Police said a determined search is on for the thief on the basis of the CCTV footage and that the accused will be arrested as soon as possible. The brazen theft during the festive days has created an atmosphere of fear among residents.